The Local 913: Junk Foods

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Junk Foods is a Pittsburgh hip-hop duo made up of rapper Billy Pilgrim and producer DJ Thermos, who’s real name is Amos Levy. The two met through the hip-hop scene that surrounded the East Liberty club, The Shadow Lounge and eventually began collaborating. According to DJ Thermos:

“We’ve got a similar ear for what we like to hear in music and a lot of similar reference points; especially the late 90s early 2000s independent hip-hop scene. We connected over our love of similar underground creative approach to boom-bap. We’re not interested in being stuck in the past and redoing the same style over and over again. We’re trying to do a creative version of that sound and stay true to our interests and roots while continuing to push things forward and try new things.”

Their approach to creating fun, accessible rap music that lies outside the box is one rooted in their independent spirit.

“Less than a month ago I went out to do some shows in Germany and France with him [Pilgrim], which sounds glamorous. It was really like going to squats and youth culture centers and doing a lot of DIY shows. We love that, too. We have a punk ethos wrapped up in what we’re doing. It’s very DIY built off of community. We’re not gunning to be stylish rappers with expensive bottles of liquor in the club. It’s a different goal and a different approach.”